Revealed in the middle Makkan period, Surah Saba (Sheba) addresses the disbelievers' stubborn rejection of resurrection and the truth of the Hereafter by contrasting the fates of historical civilizations. It details the stories of Prophet David and Solomon, who were blessed with immense power, iron-working, control of winds, and jinn, yet remained deeply grateful servants of God. In stark contrast, it narrates the downfall of the people of Saba (Sheba), whose ungratefulness for their thriving gardens led to their utter destruction by a catastrophic flood. The chapter systematically refutes the concept of partners associated with God, reminding humanity that worldly power and wealth are fleeting tests.
Transliteration
Alhamdu lillahi allathee lahu ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi walahu alhamdu fee alakhirati wahuwa alhakeemu alkhabeeru
Translation
Praise be to God, to Whom belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; and praise be to Him in the Hereafter. He is the Wise, the Expert
Transliteration
YaAAlamu ma yaliju fee alardi wama yakhruju minha wama yanzilu mina alssamai wama yaAAruju feeha wahuwa alrraheemu alghafooru
Translation
He knows what penetrates into the earth, and what comes out of it, and what descends from the sky, and what ascends to it. He is the Merciful, the Forgiving
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo la tateena alssaAAatu qul bala warabbee latatiyannakum AAalimi alghaybi la yaAAzubu AAanhu mithqalu tharratin fee alssamawati wala fee alardi wala asgharu min thalika wala akbaru illa fee kitabin mubeenin
Translation
Those who disbelieve say, “The Hour will not come upon us.” Say, “Yes indeed, by my Lord, it will come upon you. He is the Knower of the unseen.” Not an atom's weight in the heavens and the earth, or anything smaller or larger, escapes His knowledge. All are in a Clear Record
Transliteration
Liyajziya allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati olaika lahum maghfiratun warizqun kareemun
Translation
That He may recompense those who believe and do good works. Those will have forgiveness, and a generous provision
Transliteration
Waallatheena saAAaw fee ayatina muAAajizeena olaika lahum AAathabun min rijzin aleemin
Translation
As for those who strive against Our revelations, seeking to undermine them—for them is a punishment of a painful plague
Transliteration
Wayara allatheena ootoo alAAilma allathee onzila ilayka min rabbika huwa alhaqqa wayahdee ila sirati alAAazeezi alhameedi
Translation
Those who received knowledge know that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth; and it guides to the path of the Majestic, the Praiseworthy
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo hal nadullukum AAala rajulin yunabbiokum itha muzziqtum kulla mumazzaqin innakum lafee khalqin jadeedin
Translation
Those who disbelieved said, “Shall we point out to you a man, who will tell you that, once torn into shreds, you will be in a new creation
Transliteration
Aftara AAala Allahi kathiban am bihi jinnatun bali allatheena la yuminoona bialakhirati fee alAAathabi waalddalali albaAAeedi
Translation
Did he invent a lie about God, or is there madness in him?” Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are in torment, and far astray
Transliteration
Afalam yaraw ila ma bayna aydeehim wama khalfahum mina alssamai waalardi in nasha nakhsif bihimu alarda aw nusqit AAalayhim kisafan mina alssamai inna fee thalika laayatan likulli AAabdin muneebin
Translation
Do they not reflect upon what lies before them and behind them, of the heaven and the earth? If We will, We can make the earth cave in beneath them, or make pieces of the sky fall down on them. In that is a sign for every devout servant
Transliteration
Walaqad atayna dawooda minna fadlan ya jibalu awwibee maAAahu waalttayra waalanna lahu alhadeeda
Translation
We bestowed upon David favor from Us: “O mountains, and birds: echo with him.” And We softened iron for him
Transliteration
Ani iAAmal sabighatin waqaddir fee alssardi waiAAmaloo salihan innee bima taAAmaloona baseerun
Translation
“Make coats of armor, and measure the links well; and work righteousness. I am Observant of everything you do.”
Transliteration
Walisulaymana alrreeha ghuduwwuha shahrun warawahuha shahrun waasalna lahu AAayna alqitri wamina aljinni man yaAAmalu bayna yadayhi biithni rabbihi waman yazigh minhum AAan amrina nuthiqhu min AAathabi alssaAAeeri
Translation
And for Solomon the wind—its outward journey was one month, and its return journey was one month. And We made a spring of tar flow for him. And there were sprites that worked under him, by the leave of his Lord. But whoever of them swerved from Our command, We make him taste of the punishment of the Inferno
Transliteration
YaAAmaloona lahu ma yashao min mahareeba watamatheela wajifanin kaaljawabi waqudoorin rasiyatin iAAmaloo ala dawooda shukran waqaleelun min AAibadiya alshshakooru
Translation
They made for him whatever he wished: sanctuaries, statues, bowls like pools, and heavy cauldrons. “O House of David, work with appreciation,” but a few of My servants are appreciative
Transliteration
Falamma qadayna AAalayhi almawta ma dallahum AAala mawtihi illa dabbatu alardi takulu minsaatahu falamma kharra tabayyanati aljinnu an law kanoo yaAAlamoona alghayba ma labithoo fee alAAathabi almuheeni
Translation
Then, when We decreed death for him, nothing indicated his death to them except an earthworm eating at his staff. Then, when he fell down, it became clear to the sprites that, had they known the unseen, they would not have remained in the demeaning torment
Transliteration
Laqad kana lisabain fee maskanihim ayatun jannatani AAan yameenin washimalin kuloo min rizqi rabbikum waoshkuroo lahu baldatun tayyibatun warabbun ghafoorun
Translation
In Sheba’s homeland there used to be a wonder: two gardens, on the right, and on the left. “Eat of your Lord’s provision, and give thanks to Him.” A good land, and a forgiving Lord
Transliteration
FaaAAradoo faarsalna AAalayhim sayla alAAarimi wabaddalnahum bijannatayhim jannatayni thawatay okulin khamtin waathlin washayin min sidrin qaleelin
Translation
But they turned away, so We unleashed against them the flood of the dam; and We substituted their two gardens with two gardens of bitter fruits, thorny shrubs, and meager harvest
Transliteration
Thalika jazaynahum bima kafaroo wahal nujazee illa alkafoora
Translation
We thus penalized them for their ingratitude. Would We penalize any but the ungrateful
Transliteration
WajaAAalna baynahum wabayna alqura allatee barakna feeha quran thahiratan waqaddarna feeha alssayra seeroo feeha layaliya waayyaman amineena
Translation
Between them and the towns We had blessed, We placed prominent towns, and We made the travel between them easy. “Travel between them by night and day, in safety.”
Transliteration
Faqaloo rabbana baAAid bayna asfarina wathalamoo anfusahum fajaAAalnahum ahadeetha wamazzaqnahum kulla mumazzaqin inna fee thalika laayatin likulli sabbarin shakoorin
Translation
But they said, “Our Lord, lengthen the distances of our journeys.” They wronged themselves; so We made them history, and We scattered them in every direction. In this are lessons for every steadfast and appreciative person
Transliteration
Walaqad saddaqa AAalayhim ibleesu thannahu faittabaAAoohu illa fareeqan mina almumineena
Translation
Satan was correct in his assessment of them. They followed him, except for a group of believers